Missio Dei Community - SLC

Eastertide is the season we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. The resurrection isn’t just a one time event to commemorate, it is instead a world altering reality that invites us into a whole new way of living. We see this on full display for the earliest followers of Jesus who found their lives and world upturned by their surprising king who defeated death, sin, and the powers of evil not through violence but love. Jesus’ self-sacrificial, other oriented love was vindicated in the resurrection and served as the way of life for early followers. 

Eastertide is the season we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. The resurrection isn’t just a one time event to commemorate, it is instead a world altering reality that invites us into a whole new way of living. We see this on full display for the earliest followers of Jesus who found their lives and world upturned by their surprising king who defeated death, sin, and the powers of evil not through violence but love. Jesus’ self-sacrificial, other oriented love was vindicated in the resurrection and served as the way of life for early followers.

Eastertide is the season we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. The resurrection isn’t just a one time event to commemorate, it is instead a world altering reality that invites us into a whole new way of living. We see this on full display for the earliest followers of Jesus who found their lives and world upturned by their surprising king who defeated death, sin, and the powers of evil not through violence but love. Jesus’ self-sacrificial, other oriented love was vindicated in the resurrection and served as the way of life for early followers. 

Eastertide is the season we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. The resurrection isn’t just a one time event to commemorate, it is instead a world altering reality that invites us into a whole new way of living. We see this on full display for the earliest followers of Jesus who found their lives and world upturned by their surprising king who defeated death, sin, and the powers of evil not through violence but love. Jesus’ self-sacrificial, other oriented love was vindicated in the resurrection and served as the way of life for early followers. 

On this Easter Sunday, we reflect on the story of two disciples walking the road to Emmaus—grieving, confused, and unsure if hope has truly come. Through their journey, we discover that Jesus meets us in our unraveling, walks with us at the speed of love, and reveals himself not through quick fixes or perfect answers, but through presence, patience, and a shared meal. No matter where you find yourself today, Easter is a reminder: Jesus walks with you—and at his table, you always belong.

Missio Good Friday Service 2025

On Palm Sunday, we remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem—a moment of celebration, hope, and political tension. The crowd celebrates, expecting victory. The Pharisees fear conflict. But Jesus weeps, knowing that neither group fully understands the kind of King he is—or the kind of peace he brings. His kingdom is not won through force but through self-giving love, leading to the cross and ultimately to resurrection. As we reflect on this story, we are challenged to ask: What kind of king do we want? What kind of peace do we pursue? And are we willing to follow the way of Jesus—who invites us into the hard but holy work of shalom—the wholeness, healing, and restoration of all things?

As we continue our Lenten journey toward Easter, we turn our attention to a striking portrait of Jesus in John 13—kneeling, apron-clad, and washing the feet of his disciples. This is no ordinary act of hospitality. It’s a profound disruption of social norms, a voluntary reversal of power and status, and a love-soaked redefinition of leadership and community. Jesus, fully aware of his authority and origin, chooses to serve in a way that would have shocked his contemporaries. In doing so, he not only reveals the heart of God but offers a pattern for us to live by: a love that is voluntary, communal, and embodied. This kind of love doesn’t just inform our beliefs; it forms our identity.

After Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, he observes the temple but does nothing—yet. The next day, he curses a fig tree that has no fruit, even though it is not the season for figs. Then, he enters the temple and overturns tables, condemning it as a "den of thieves." The following morning, the disciples find the fig tree withered, and Jesus teaches them about faith that moves mountains. These stories work together to highlight how religious systems can become fruitless, and Jesus’ call to a faith that is active and transformative.

The Transfiguration is a pivotal moment in the life of Jesus, revealing his divine identity to his disciples in a dramatic way. Jesus, accompanied by Peter, James, and John, is transfigured on a mountain, shining with glory as he stands alongside Moses and Elijah. This moment marks a turning point in his journey toward the cross and challenges the disciples’ expectations of who Jesus is. Like Peter, we often try to fit Jesus into our own understanding, but the Transfiguration reminds us that Jesus is not just another character in the story—he is the story. The invitation is to follow Jesus not on our terms, but on his, even when it challenges our assumptions.